Feature Extraction of White Matter Structures Using Quantitative Parameter Mapping: Comparison of Relaxometry, Susceptibility, and Diffusion

Motivation: To confirm how many features are required to optimize the quantitative evaluation of myelin content. Goal(s): To evaluate the relationship between relaxation rate, susceptibility, and diffusion parameters for WM regions. Approach: Using R1, R2, R1·R2*, and QSM derived from QPM-MRI and FA, MK, AK, and RK of diffusion kurtosis-MRI, each measured value in MNI WM region and JHU WM region was compared. Results: There was a significant difference between each region in R2*, χ, FA, MK, AK, and RK values (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference in R1, R2* and R1 values. Each parameter has different characteristics in each region. Impact: Relaxation rate, susceptibility, and diffusion parameters have different characteristics for each WM region.